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By Dan
Homeschooling and remote working have a lot in common when it comes to the perks and challenges. If remote workers struggle with staying productive, they typically find suggestions like creating a separate office space within the home.
The same goes for homeschooling. Having a dedicated workspace can help you overcome the challenges of studying at home. You’ll be less distracted, improve your “work-life” balance, and stay on track without feeling too overwhelmed or defeated.
However, not all study spaces are the same. It’s important to have a place where you can get your work done in the right mindset.
With that in mind, let’s cover some tips you can use to create the perfect productive homeschooling study space.
Why a Study Space is Important
When you’re considering how to arrange a place to do your homework and study, it’s important to know why it matters. What’s the big deal with working from your bed or studying in front of the television in the living room?
A dedicated study area is meant to keep you focused. Since it’s a place associated with schoolwork, you’re less likely to get distracted or disturbed by others.
Research has shown that the average student is distracted at least five minutes out of every fifteen spent studying. Many factors play into that, including social media use or simple daydreaming. But, having the right space can help you to cut down on those distractions.
You also don’t have to worry about asking others in your living space to keep it down while you do your schoolwork. With your respected study environment, you can have a quiet space while other family members can go about their lives in other living spaces.
What Should Your Study Space Look Like?
Your study area doesn’t have to be anything extravagant. Find a quiet place in your home that’s free from distractions and foot traffic, and make it your own. Anything you choose to add to a study space should help you with your study time. A good study area should have the following characteristics:
- Privacy
- Spaciousness
- Comfort
- Adequate lighting
- Fresh air
While the details are up to you, consider things like rearranging furniture for more space, moving your desk closer to the window for natural light, or bringing in a few of your favorite art pieces or things that inspire you to stay motivated.
One of the best ways to keep your study area motivating and distraction-free is to make sure it’s clean. Even if you’re drinking Red Bulls and eating Flamin’ Hot Cheetos as a snack (might we suggest some smarter study snacks like trail mix or hummus?), clean up after yourself each time. A cluttered “work” environment makes it easier to be distracted. It’s also a good idea to disinfect anything you’ve been touching frequently, including electronic devices.
Your study area should be a place that makes you feel calm and motivated. Once you have a clean and spacious setup, think about things that might reduce your stress levels and improve your mood while you study. Plants are a great way to do that. They improve the air quality of the room, which will also improve focus. They have also been shown to increase attentiveness and memory.
Having your four-legged friend in your space is another great idea if you want to reduce your stress. Just make sure you have a designated spot for them to lay down, and plenty of toys to keep them busy so they don’t become a distraction.
Develop a Productive Routine
Creating a productive and motivating office space is only half the battle, however.
If you want to stay on track, one of the best things you can do is to develop healthy studying habits and implement a routine into your day. Set aside certain hours of the day strictly for studying. Doing so will keep you on task and help to improve your focus. Other productivity tips that can make a difference include:
- Taking breaks and moving around
- Constructing a to-do list
- Getting started early
- Accomplishing the hard tasks first
You’ll be more productive in your study sessions if you enjoy them.
However, we know it can be hard to “enjoy” studying — that’s why it’s so important to form the right habits. Creating the right environment for it is a good place to start. Going into your study session with a positive mindset will also help. There’s no “ideal” way to study, but your goal should be to work smarter, not harder. Studying shouldn’t feel like a chore or a punishment. When it does, you’re not going to be focused.
As you start to get more comfortable with your designated space, you’ll find a routine that works for you. Maybe you’ll need more frequent breaks than others, or maybe you’ll have to break tasks down into smaller pieces to keep from getting overwhelmed. The idea is to improve your skills along the way. Having your own homeschooling study space will help, and you’ll quickly learn which aspects of your environment and/or routine are helping or hurting your productivity.